Yet another operation conducted under torch light in Odisha hospital

Yet another operation was conducted in Odisha, this time at a hospital in Nayagarh district, under torch lights on Monday exposing the deteriorating health infrastructure in the state.

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According to sources, there was power failure at Khandapada primary health centre (PHC) since Monday afternoon when two expecting mothers were admitted to the PHC. While Sushma Amayanta (21) from Gania village went through normal delivery at 8.50 pm, Rashmita Dalei (22) from Bhapur gave birth to a child at 11.45 pm.

Both the mothers and their babies are doing well. There is no reason to worry, doctors at Khandapada primary health centre (PHC) said.

“The woman from Gania was experiencing excruciating labour pain. So we had no choice but to perform the delivery in dark with the help of torch lights. She had a normal delivery,” Dr Sanghamitra Dash said.

It is alleged that the newborns and their mothers were not provided with postpartum services.

“There are several deficiencies in the centre. We are trying to improve the facilities and the infrastructure in the hospital,” Dr SK Das said.

Despite being aware of the fact that there was no power supply and backup in the hospital, the doctors went ahead with the deliveries risking the lives of the mothers and the newborns.

About 10 days before this incident, doctors at Rajnagar community health centre (CHC) in Kendrapara district had allegedly cut the oesophagus instead of fallopian tube during a tubectomy operation at the health facility on July 11 which was said to have been performed under torch lights.